A cannabis farm housed in an executive rural home was rumbled when suspicious neighbours reported the strong smell of cannabis coming from the address.

Hillcrest - a property on Cumeragh Lane in Whittingham, near Preston, is worth more than half a million pounds - but it was trashed and transformed into a rural cannabis factory, Preston Crown Court was told.

Cumeragh Lane

The people behind the plantation caused £15,000 of damage in an attempt to convert it and bypass the electricity supply.

Paul Cummings, prosecuting, said: “ In August the landlord and owner was contacted by neighbours of that address to say they could smell cannabis coming from the house.

The owner then contacted police. He made his own inquiries on August 18 and the following day police came with him to the property and although the locks had been changed the police were able to force their way into the property to discover there was a cannabis farm.”

The court heard the main growing area was in one of the bedrooms which contained reflective lamps, a large extractor, an industrial dehumidifier, and large pouches of organic compounds and plant pots.

Loose leaf cannabis was strewn around on the floor and items of clothing were taped to the windows.

Officers saw electrical transformers on the walls feeding from one socket.

Mr Cummings added: “ There were juvenile plants under the stairs and other places where cannabis was being stored.

“There was extensive damage to the property.

The drugs found were valued at up to £10,000.

The house has been left with damage to its roof structure, electricity meter, lighting, and carpets and the final bill could reach £30,000.